12 November 2009 Edition

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Dessie Ellis honoured at Dublin Volunteers' event

HONOURED: Dessie Ellis, Richard Butler, Dessie’s mother Patricia and sister  Martha and Noel Hughes

HONOURED: Dessie Ellis, Richard Butler, Dessie’s mother Patricia and sister Martha and Noel Hughes

SATURDAY, 7 November saw a large gathering of republicans from Dublin and further afield at the Gresham Hotel for the Dublin Volunteers Dinner Dance.
The annual event is designed to commemorate the memory and the sacrifices of Dublin IRA Volunteers Tom Smith, Patrick Cannon, Colm Daltún, Mick Timothy, Christy Harford and Martin Doherty and Sinn Féin activist Jeff McKenna, all of whom died in the course of their republican activity. It is also the occasion for Dublin republicans to pay tribute to a special republican honouree from the Dublin area.
Among invited guests were Cuban Ambassador Teresita Trujillo who was given a special presentation by An Phoblacht Editor Seán Mac Brádaigh.
Also present were lifelong republicans Annie McCloskey and Tommy McGlinchy  who were given a special presentation of flowers from Sinn Féin Vice President Mary Lou McDonald.
The guest speaker on the night was leading Belfast republican Seán Murray who reflected on the history of the republican struggle over the past few decades, saying it is the same struggle with the same aims now as it was when he first got involved. Paying tribute to the families of the fallen Volunteers who were present he pointed out that he too had lost a brother in the conflict and knew how important it was to honour and cherish the memory of those republicans who had died. Looking around at the large assembly of republicans present was heartening and empowering.
Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Dessie Ellis was the Special Honouree on the night. Pajo Mac Aodha of the Dublin Sinn Féin spoke highly of Dessie and his lifelong contribution to the struggle. Republican leadership figures and comrades of Dessie’s who couldn’t attend conveyed their good wishes and congratulations in a special video screened on the night. There followed a video showing snapshots of Dessie’s life in political struggle.
Dessie was presented by former POW Frank McCabe with a stunning glass piece depicting the faces and names of the Ten Hunger Strikers. Dessie spoke of his pride at being honoured in such a way and paid tribute to his former Dublin comrade and friend Volunteer Martin (Doco) Doherty who was shot  by loyalists in May 1994.
It was a memorable evening by any standards as Dublin republicans took the opportunity to demonstrate their pride and affection to one of the Capital’s finest republicans Dessie Ellis.  
Dublin Sinn Féin would like to thank all who were involved in the organisation of the event, particularly Noeleen Reilly and Andy Kavangh of Dublin Sinn Féin Finance Department and Mark Dawson and Mícheál Mac Donncha for the impressive brochure.

An Phoblacht
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Ireland